Recent data has shed light on the significant financial toll faced by visa applicants from developing countries who are denied entry to the UK and Schengen countries. In 2023, nearly 40% of Pakistani applicants for UK and Schengen visas were refused, collectively spending £5.3 million and €3.344 million respectively on unsuccessful applications.
Critics argue that the practice of charging substantial visa fees, only to reject applications, is exploitative and disproportionately affects individuals from poorer nations. The high rejection rates also underscore systemic biases in the visa approval process, which lacks transparency.
Marta Foresti of Lago Collective highlighted the disparity by comparing the ease with which citizens from some countries can obtain visas compared to others. For instance, while an Italian can secure a visa on arrival in Sierra Leone for £30, citizens of Sierra Leone often face arduous and costly processes to obtain visas for Italy, with uncertain outcomes.
Adding to the financial strain, recent increases in visa application fees—from €80 to €90 for Schengen visas and £100 to £120 for UK visas—are set to exacerbate the burden on applicants. Despite these fees being non-refundable, even in cases of rejection, the UK alone collected £44 million in rejected visa fees in 2023.
While foreign missions argue that these fees support operational costs, critics contend that the current system unfairly penalizes applicants who are denied visas. They call for a reassessment of visa fee structures that place such a heavy financial burden on individuals, particularly from countries with high rejection rates.
The debate underscores broader concerns about the fairness and transparency of visa processes, urging governments to reconsider policies that profit from unsuccessful visa applications while restricting opportunities for travel, education, and business for countless individuals worldwide.